angman

Hi guys, new to the forum and have owned an A4 1,8T previously (nightmare) and a Q5 now (been perfect) and considering a CPO 08 S line 2.0 right now. I actually I just put down a deposit today but can get out of it if need be. Paying 27K on a clean accident free local lease return with 35K kms on it.

Anything that I should look for or be concerned about? Does the price seem reasonable? Should I consider an 09+ and pay a bit more or go for a Quattro model or TDI? I test drove the TDI and loved it. I love Quattro as well and have always had AWD cars. But I am guessing the FWD should be pretty good and with proper winter tires on the Vancouver winters shouldn't be a problem? I will probably throw in an APR ECU program and get some nicer summer tires/wheels and leave it at that.

This car is supposed to be an interim car to last 2-3 years for me. Its a daily driver and will be used to haul a toddler in the back seat once in awhile. My needs are decent gas mileage and good reliability (thats why the CPO). I am replacing my 335XI BMW with this to save some money which is why I wanted to throw in the ECU tune to make up for the lost HP/Torque.

Thanks in advance for any insight or comments.

a4audi4fun

By the time you sell the BMW (ie depreciation), how much are you really saving by then getting the A3. I'd expect the 335 to lose less value over the next few years than the A3.

angman

Sorry, to clarify I let the lease on my BMW expire already and returned the car. The car was great and the final buyout was 33K before taxes. I was just concerned about long term longevity if I were to keep is as there would have been no more warranty on it. My wife has poor luck with cars which is why she wants CPO and warranty on a used car or another new lease.

If I were to spend 30-35K now on a used A3 then I probably would have been better off keeping the BMW. But at 27K and 2 years extra warranty I figured I'd be safe. either that or I opt for a low 20K model as a private sale with no warranty if you guys think the car would be bullet proof enough to go at least 3 years without major problems.

Madturtle

Take it for a long long test drive. I just got an 08 Sline with 1 year factory and certified 2 year warranty for about the same as you have been quoted. It has a lot of cabin noise and the stereo is so so. Nothing in the way of "luxury" features at all. A peppy pocket rocket. Handles like it's on rails. Very stiff suspension that is jarring at times and transmits lots of road noise. No storage pockets, even for a map.

I like it and will keep it for a while, but think there is better out there for the same price.

Make sure it is the type of car you both want.

angman

Haha, good to know thanks. Its a car that I want so I convinced my wife that she wants it too. Unfortunately its going to be her daily driver but in reality i'd rather her take my Q5 and I use this as I drive much much more on a daily basis. Maybe she will change her mind if I put a "louder" exhaust on the A3.

Cheers

Snowby

we had a 08 sline before, had problem 3 months into the lease with engine oil, been to the dealer many times and eventually, just keep adding oil on our own every month, didn't bother to even check as they always said no problem. also had heating problem one time at -15 degree, couldn't even drive and need to tow it to the dealer. all that being said, my wife return it at the end of the lease and got a new 2011 A3 Quattro, so far so good, got a aftermarket in dash unit for navi, ipod and bluetooth, so far so good, hope we have a better luck this time ...

kayubassist

I wonder if OP has already bought the car yet.
I was looking for a 08 too. manual transmission.
Because manuals were very hard to find, I was quoted about the same price as you.

I would go to Openroad Audi, they had the best price.
Also, like someone said earlier, test drive the hell out of it. Ask them to let you have the car for one day.
People around me had so many bad experiences with Audi/BMW CPO's.
They are not as new as they are advertised to be.

Plus, try to find a TSI engine. If you decide to get an FSI engine, make sure you check the cam follower.

angman

Yes, we bought the car already. We did go to Openroad audi and they were pretty good. Unfortunately my wife was the only one to test drive the car as I was busy (with a toddler) and she came back and said the car was fine other then some turbo lag. I went to pick up the car after it was fully inspected and cleaned + new tires. I should have tested it myself but they assured me that they wouldn't sell anything that was damaged or wrong considering that its a CPO. I gave them good faith, completed the paperwork and drove off.

I must say I am not fond of the DSG so far. I test drove a 2011 TDI DSG and it was smooth and great. Do I have a lemon or do all 2.0's lurch and sort of seem to stall in 1st/drive and when backing up? My drivers side window also has a problem in that the motor is slow and someones it goes up and down by itself. Granted this doesn't always happen so maybe the dealer missed it.

Other then the poor slow speed characteristics (drives like a newbie learning how to use a clutch) its been a nice drive. I already took it to RPI Equipped and did a full APR ECU tune on it. Luckily they just have a sale going on right now and $599 gets the full meal deal. I must say that with the tune the car runs much smoother and has way more low end torque. At the very least it has corrected some of the slow speed lurching/stalling sensation. I highly recommend and it only took them about 40 minutes.

kayubassist

hey congrats on your A3.
I myselft bought my car from Openroad Audi.

DSG, I had a 2009 GTI DSG transmission before A3, my car had DSG warranty extended to 10 years and if Mechatronics unit worked funny, the dealer should replace it under warranty. I recommend you check on that on your A3. Jerky starts on 1st and reverse is a common problem on cars with DSG transmissions. If the problem persists, you should go have your car checked by the technician. Openroad Audi usually don't charge for a test drive. They test drove mine for free when I complained about clicking noise when engaging clutch. They said the car is fine (like they do always - _-) and I just left the dealership.

RPI Equipped is a good shop to go to. I bought my bilstein shocks and h&r springs from them before. You must have got the 91 octane program + stock program for 599.
With the tune, the car opens up a lot.

angman

Madturlte: you are spot on. I agree that the radio isn't very good and there is a ton of road noise. I compare this to my Q5 and my most recent A4 wagon. But the car was fun to drive while I had it. The new Wagon is kind of too refined.

Kayubassist: I brought my car back to Openroad audi this morning and they were really good about it. The tech went with me on a ride but of course the car ran better then normal during the test drive. Regardless their service department is top noch unlike Richmond Audi. They did a search and told me that the mechtronics has already been replaced last year, regardless they will look into it again further for me even though the car was running decent during the test drive. They even had a brand new A4 wagon ready for me when I got there. Alan is my service rep and I highly recommend him.

As for RPI, yes they are a great company. Warren has been in business forever and I am so glad he's so much closer now although he's going to be moving the business beside Openroad Audi soon. As for the ECU I got the full meal deal with all the options (valet, stock, 01, 03, engine disable, passcode etc.) for $599. Its a special right now www.goapr.com All I can say is that all 2.0 users should really look into getting it. Night and day difference and all I had to do before bringing it back to the dealership was switch it back to stock mode and lock it out with my passcode. Took all of 2 minutes.